GOP lawmakers float compromise immigration proposal

WASHINGTON - Two Republican lawmakers Tuesday unveiled an immigration proposal that moves toward the kind of comprehensive reform the Senate passed and President Bush has been pushing, as a new poll says the majority of Americans support such an approach.

Their proposal has the kind of trigger some lawmakers have been talking about - that the guest-worker plan would kick in only after the president certified that the border is secure. And the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living here would have to return to their home countries to apply to become guest workers.

"We believe that this Congress must come together and find a way forward, and we hope this idea can be that way forward," Pence said at a news conference with Hutchison.

Pence has been floating a similar proposal for some time, breaking with some fellow House Republicans who insist that a border enforcement-only bill is the way to go.

The details of the plan drew criticism from both sides in the debate, although many key players said it could help jump-start stalled talks on the issue.

"I think this is a contribution, a step in the right direction," said House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.

And Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass, said while he appreciates the fact that Hutchison and Pence are willing to offer an alternative, "I have a number of serious concerns about their plan, which makes me doubtful that their approach would fix our broken system."

Under the plan, it would take 17 years for a guest worker to earn citizenship. Participants would not be eligible for any social services but their portion of Social Security taxes they pay would be held in an account for them and be given to them when they returned to their home country.

"As a policy proposal it won't work and it won't pass," said Frank Sharry, head of the National Immigration Forum, which along with the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank, commissioned the latest immigration poll.

That survey, released Tuesday, showed that illegal immigration is among the top three issues voters say Congress should deal with. And 71 percent support a guest worker program and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

The poll, by two firms - one GOP and one Democratic - also found that respondents blame both parties equally for failing to pass an immigration bill so far this year.

White House officials circulated survey results. Bush this week reiterated his support for a comprehensive plan.

But Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, who opposes any plan that includes allowing illegal immigrants to stay or return to the United States ahead of those already waiting for a chance to come here, dismissed the poll and the latest compromise proposal as "frauds."

"They're trying to create an illusion that there's not an amnesty that's part of what's being proposed," said Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach.

And Rohrabacher disputed the poll results, saying the public isn't being given the facts.

"It's all the way it's worded," he said. "There's lies, damn lies and then there's polling questions."

Brian Nienaber, vice president of the Tarrance Group, the GOP firm, said polling on this issue has consistently showed the public favors a comprehensive approach.

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